The owner of Fishers-based Mainscape Inc., one of the nation’s largest landscaping companies, has agreed to plead guilty to participating in a $16 million overbilling scheme that federal prosecutors allege was carried out by top executives of the state’s largest nursing home company, American Senior Communities.
The move by Mainscape founder Dave Mazanowski, disclosed in a federal court filing, is potentially problematic for the four other executives charged this fall – former ASC CEO James Burkhart, former ASC Chief Operating Officer Dan Benson, Burkhart’s brother Joshua and Burkhart’s friend Steven Ganote.
None of them has admitted wrongdoing. All are set for trial next June – now with the specter of Mazanowski’s serving as a witness for the prosecution.
Notably, Mazanowski’s change-of-plea hearing and sentencing have been put off until November 2017 – a timetable that might allow him to translate his cooperative spirit into leniency. The one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and health care fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Mazanowski’s attorney, Jim Voyles of Voyles Zahn & Paul, declined to comment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cindy Cho and Larry Mackey, a Barnes & Thornburg partner representing James Burkhart, also declined to comment.
For the full story, on ibj.com, click here.
To read the letter Mainscape sent to its clients, click here.
The move by Mainscape founder Dave Mazanowski, disclosed in a federal court filing, is potentially problematic for the four other executives charged this fall – former ASC CEO James Burkhart, former ASC Chief Operating Officer Dan Benson, Burkhart’s brother Joshua and Burkhart’s friend Steven Ganote.
None of them has admitted wrongdoing. All are set for trial next June – now with the specter of Mazanowski’s serving as a witness for the prosecution.
Notably, Mazanowski’s change-of-plea hearing and sentencing have been put off until November 2017 – a timetable that might allow him to translate his cooperative spirit into leniency. The one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and health care fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Mazanowski’s attorney, Jim Voyles of Voyles Zahn & Paul, declined to comment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cindy Cho and Larry Mackey, a Barnes & Thornburg partner representing James Burkhart, also declined to comment.
For the full story, on ibj.com, click here.
To read the letter Mainscape sent to its clients, click here.
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